Travel information

If you go through Paris, the fastest way to get to Tours is to take a TGV (fast train).
– Directly from the Paris Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) train station if you arrive by plane. It will take you 1h50 to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, the suburb of Tours. You will then wait 20 minutes or less for the connection to Tours unless you are expected by a family or if you prefer to take a cab.
– From the Montparnasse train station in Paris if you are coming from elsewhere. The trip to Tours will take between 1h10 and 1h17.
– From Austerlitz train station in Paris if you are not in a hurry and prefer to spend less. The trip to Tours will take 2h12 or more depending on the schedule.

If you arrive by train from the Gare de Lyon, Nord, or Est train station, allow 60 minutes to travel stress-free from one of these stations to the Gare Montparnasse in Paris.

As soon as we receive your registration, we will send you more precise information on how to get from CDG airport or from Paris to Tours.

Please note that Tours airport is served by www.ryanair.com Tours is 1h20 from London Stansted airport. The airline operates a daily flight from June to October, and a flight on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from November to March.

Visa

Do you need a visa? It depends on your nationality and whether you will stay for more than 90 days. If you are not a citizen of the European Union or Switzerland, check with a French embassy or consulate for visa requirements. Allow adequate time to obtain any necessary documents. Check this website for more information.

Health insurance

We strongly advise individuals to take out medical insurance. A health insurance policy is required by the French administration for students staying more than three months. Do not forget to bring a copy of your insurance policy. If you are a citizen of the European Union, do not forget to bring your European health insurance card.

Money

You can change your money at the airport or train station in Paris or Tours, respectively. Most ATM machines accept debit cards from all major international banks (including non-European companies), making withdrawals of cash is very simple. Visa and Mastercard cards are accepted nearly everywhere. Keep in mind: banks in Tours are closed on Mondays.

Climate

Tours has a mild climate, it is partly for this reason Touraine has been dubbed the “Garden of France.”

Month	High/ Low (°C)	Month	High/ Low (°C)
January	7° / 2°	July	26° / 14°
February	9° / 2°	August	26° / 13°
March	13° / 4°	September	22° / 11°
April	16° / 5°	October	17° / 8°
May	19° / 9°	November	11° / 4°
June	23°/ 12°	December	8° / 2°

These are average temperatures, so before you pack your luggage, you may also find it useful to check the weather forecast for Tours.

In your bag

Bring some paper, pens and pencils. A tablet or laptop can be useful but is not required. If you do not have a bilingual dictionary on your smartphone, bring a paper version. A French Grammar book explained in your own language will be helpful as well.

Lunch

For lunch you can choose from numerous restaurants and cafés in medieval Tours, very close to school. Most of these are in pedestrian zones and during summer you’ll be able to eat outside on the terraces.

Prices: €4 or more for a sandwich,  €10 or more for a main dish, and €15 and higher for a full meal. You may buy food at a boulangerie-pâtisserie or sandwicherie, at the local covered market les Halles or a grocery store and have lunch by the river side, on the school terrace if the weather permits it or in the school entrance hall.

Useful links

Office of Tourism Tours: www.tours-tourism.co.uk
City of Tours Official Site: www.tours.fr
Region of Touraine Official Site: www.touraineloirevalley.com
Loire Valley by Bicycle: www.loire-a-velo.fr

As soon as we receive your registration, you will see our guides: “Welcome to CLE” and “Welcome to Tours” with lots of practical information for a very successful stay.